Dog Survives Ordeal

A dog dragged behind a pickup truck along a country road is winning the hearts of Placer County residents, and has inspired a $5,000 reward for its assailants’ arrest.

County officials say the young male Australian shepherd crossbreed, which nearly choked to death with a cord tied around his neck, is recovering at the county’s animal services facility.

The dog, dubbed Raspberry for his numerous scrapes, has prompted several offers of adoption, as well as reward donations of $2,500 from the Humane Society of the United States and $1,000 from Crimestoppers.

Facility manager Richard Ward said area residents have also donated amounts from $50 to $200 to the reward fund. One woman offered to pay the dog’s veterinary bill, he said.

Shannon Gaffaney, a Loomis veterinarian who treated the dog for broken teeth, cuts, bruises and a nose burn, said, “He was pretty lucky, and he’ll make some family happy.”

Sheriff’s deputies, meanwhile, continued their search for the pickup’s driver. Witnesses said a passenger in the back of the beige Toyota pickup wore a beige hunting jacket and bluejeans.

“The poor dog could stand, but he was very wobbly,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Bell, who found the dog last Thursday near Lincoln.

“Despite what happened to him, he was wagging his tail as if to say, ‘Thank you for caring for me,’” Bell said.